Officer On Duty Movie Review: Kunchacko Boban’s Captivating Performance Shines in a Mind-Bending Thriller

Officer On Duty Movie Review: Director Jithu Ashraf’s film raises some important questions about the portrayal of women in thrillers. Too often, these stories focus on violence against women, using them as mere plot devices to advance a male character’s journey. In Officer On Duty, Kunchacko Boban plays CI Harishankar, a character caught in the cycle of male-driven narratives where women’s suffering is exploited for dramatic effect.

The term “women in refrigerators” describes a common trope where female characters experience violence solely to motivate male protagonists. Unfortunately, this film follows that pattern. Several women fall victim to assaults, pushed into the background while Harishankar, haunted by his past, seeks justice. Their trauma serves solely to deepen his character without providing them any agency or depth.

After being demoted, Harishankar is assigned to the Kochi police station. His first case involves a man trying to pawn a fake gold chain, a chain that turns out to belong to a minor girl. This discovery leads him down a dark path, uncovering a deeper criminal network. However, his methods are harsh, and when he pressures the girl to file a complaint, it ends tragically, mirroring his own daughter’s past trauma. This event triggers a breakdown for Harishankar, resulting in violent outbursts that push his wife away, further complicating his quest for redemption.

The film starts with a strong atmospheric tone that piques interest, yet it quickly falters by neglecting the emotional weight of key scenes. While there is an intense moment highlighting Harishankar’s PTSD, these instances are scarce. The writing fails to thoroughly explore the serious subject matter, leaving many moments feeling superficial. This is unfortunate, as the premise had the potential for more impactful storytelling.

Character development is a significant issue, particularly with the women. They exist mainly to serve as victims, lacking any significant arcs. This minimalist approach extends to the antagonists, who are stereotypical and one-dimensional. The film’s attempts to tie their motivations to past assaults by a police officer feel contrived and poorly executed.

While Kunchacko Boban delivers a commendable performance, his dialogue occasionally falters, sounding overly rehearsed rather than natural. The cinematography captures the film’s somber atmosphere effectively, but some scenes suffer from excessive darkness that feels unnatural. Additionally, the editing suffers during action sequences, losing coherence at crucial moments.

Officer On Duty Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Priyamani, Jagadish, Vishak Nair
Director: Jithu Ashraf
Rating: 2 stars

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